Handle for files



. Aug. 19, 1941. L. R. FETTEROLF HANDLE FOR FILES Filed Jan. 23, 1940 llll /l 2 km fliiorraea l for use.

Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT QFZ ECE HANDLE FORFILES Layton Register Fetterolf, Langhorne, Pa. Application January 23, 194.0, 'Serial No.315,l54

10 Claims.

This invention relates to handlesfor files and more particularly to files of relatively large sizes such as are used for automotive fender and body like which will be light in weight, sturdy, and

which is adapted for firm engagement with the file.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handle for files which may be adjusted to' a plurality of positions for varying the curvature of the cutting face of the file.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the annexed specification and claims. The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection longitudinally and at one end of the file;

Fig. 4 is a vertical central sectional view taken longitudinally and at the otherend of the'file;

Fig. is an end elevational view as seen from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is'a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

It will, of course, be, understood that the de 1 scription and drawing herein contained are illustrative merely, and that, various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in connection with a type of file with which the invention is particularly adapted The file is shown generally at l0 and the file I0 preferably is slightly bendable or flexible between the ends and consists of longitudinally extending side strips H having upper faces l2 and inner faces l3 with spaced transversely disposed teeth l4 extending therebetween. The teeth id have cutting edges [5 on the face portion, of the file I 0 and chips pass upwardly between the teeth It.

The. file [0 preferably also has, opposite the toothed cutting face portion thereof, transverse strips l6 and I1 extending between the side portions I l, the strips I6 and I! preferably being disposed at the ends of the file l 0 and formed or integrally connected therewith. As shown, these transverse strips l8 and I1 are disposed above the side strip portions I l although it will, of course, be understood that the ,strips I6 and I! could be disposed so that the upper faces thereof were level with the upper faces l2 of the side strips ll.

The handle portion proper preferably includes two hand portions which for purposes of explanation are herein referred to as a forward or front hand portion 20 and a back or rear hand portion 2|. It will be understood that in use the file and handle may be turned or moved as desired to perform a particular filing operation. The forward hand portion 20 and the back hand portion 2| are preferably made of cast metal which may, if desired, be aluminum, so that the handle construction will be light in weight.

The forward hand portion 20 preferably includes a raised and arch portion 22, and a lower portion 23 immediately. adjacent thereto and toward the rear, so that one, hand of the operator may be pressed firmly in engagement with the exterior surfaces of these portions 22 and 23 when the file is in use. The provision of the arched portion 22, as illustrated, permits of a lighter weight than if this were made solid while still providing adequate strength of this portion of the handle and ample surface for contact by the hand of the user.

Theraised portion 22 has a forward extension 24 for engagementwith the upper face of the transverse strip IS. The raised portion 22 and the forward portion 24 have at each side downwardly extending lugs 25 which engage respectively with the upper faces I2 of the edge portions H of the file and which also engage with the rearward face of the cross strip IS.

A b0lt'26 is preferably providedwhich extends downwardly through the forward'extension 24 and through and in engagementwith the transverse strip I 6 for holding the forward hand porthe gripping of the handle. tending portions 42 are provided on the'rear hand tion in position at the front extremity of the file.

The lower portion 23 is also arched longitudinally of the file and transversely of the file and has downwardly projecting lugs having portions at 3I for engagement with the upper faces I2 of the side portions II of the file and has portions 32 which extend downwardly for engagement with the inner faces I3 of the side edge portions I I of the file. At the rearmost end of the front hand portion 20 downwardly extending lugs 33 are provided which also have portions 34 for engagement with the upper faces I2 of the side edge portions II of the file and have downwardly extending por tions 35 for engagement with the inner faces I3 of the side portions I I of the file. The bolt 26 and the lugs 30 and 33 serve to hold the front hand portion 20 from any swinging or transverse movement with respect to the file and provide for a firm engagement of the front hand portion 20 with the body of the file.

The rear hand portion 2| preferably includes a hollow handle '40 extending therefrom rearwardly and beyond the file for gripping with one hand 'wl'1 en in use. The handle 40 is preferably provided with flats. M on the sides thereof to assist Downwardly exportion. and preferably adjacent the front of the handle 40 for engagement with the cross strip H at the rear edge thereof and on each side. The

rear hand portion 2 I also has a flat portion 43 'forengagementwith the upper face of the strip [1 and downwardly extending portions 44 are also provided for engagement with the cross strip I! at the front face thereof. The downwardly extending portions 44 preferably. also engage with the upper edges I2 of the side portions I I of the I) The front end of the rear hand portion 2| is also provided at each side thereof with downwardly extending lugs 45 which are in engage-- ment as at 46 with the upperfaces I2 of the, side portions II of the file and portions 4'! which extending downwardly are in engagement with the inner, faces I3 of the edge portions II of the file.

1 l A bolt 48 is provided and extends downwardly through the rear handportion 2| and through and in engagement with the cross strip I1 for holding the rear hand portion 2| firmly in position with .respect to the file. The head of the bolt is preferably sunk within the rear hand "portion 2|. o v ."I'he rear hand portion 2I of the file is suitable for use alone or with the forward hand portion 20, but it is preferable, where the file is to be flexed between its ends and curved so as to pro- "vide a convex curvature on the cutting face of the file, that these handle portions 20v and 2I be connected by adjustingstructure. For this purpose a rod 50 is provided, the rod 50 having a QA rod 53 is also provided and at the rear end therofextends downwardly as at 54 through the rear hand portion-2|. A cotter pin 55 is preferv ably passed 'through'a hole in the lower end thereof forholding the rear end 54 of therod 53 in position with respect to the rear hand por- "tion 2'I. The'other end of the rod 53 is inclined downwardly and is threaded as at 56 for engagement with the turnbuckle 52.

The structure heretofore referred to is suitable where the file is to be used with a fiat cutting face from end to end or where a convex curvature is to be given to the face of the file, the curvature being determined by adjustment of the turnbuckle 52. In some instances a concave curvature of the face of the file is desired. For this purpose a bracket 51 is provided which has an upwardly extending forward portion 58 mounted on the rod 53. The bracket 5'I has an intermediate portion extending downwardly and rearwardly from the forward portion 58 and a substantially horizontally extending portion 55 which extends rearwardly between the lugs 45 and is mounted onthe lower portion 54 of the rod 53 above the cotter pin 55.

A nut 60 is mounted on the rod 53 for engagement with the forward portion 58 of the bracket ]cave curvatureon the face thereof by turning the turnbuckle 52 in a. direction to exert a compressive force on the rods 50 and 53, and the concave curvature may be increased by turning the nut 60 so as to place the bracket 51 in tension and thus impel the rear hand portion 2I to a position to aid in producing the desired concavity. The nut BI] when tightened toa very limited extent serves as a locking device if the concave curvature is-obtained merely by turning the turnbuckle 5 2. I

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the front or forward hand portion 20 is in firm engagement with the fileat the front end thereof and that the rear hand portion 2| is likewise in firm engagement with the file at the rear end thereof. A grip is thus provided for each hand of the operator so that full control of the file during the filing operations is obtained and the pressure desired by the user may be applied to the file in accordance with the material being filed.

7 When it is desired to have a convex curvature on the face portion of the file the turnbuckle 52 may be turned so as todraw the rod 50 and the rod-53 toward each other until the desired curvature is obtained. If a concave curvature of the face of the file is desired this may be obtained by tween said handle portions for varying'the end to end curvature of said file body, said means including rodsconnected to said handle members, a

turnbuckle'in engagement with said rods and a tension-member connected to one of said rods and't'o one of said handles for imparting'a concave curvature to thecuttingface portion. 2. In combination with a file having spaced 'side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, a handle member, fastening meansfor said'handle member extending through said handle member'and in engagement with one of saidjtransverse strips, said handle member having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle member from said fastening means and in engagement with each of said side strips.

3. In combination with a fil having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top of each end by transverse strips, a handle member, fastening means extending through said handle member.

and in engagement w th one of said transverse strips, said handle member having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle member from said fastening means and in engagement with the internal faces of said side strips.

4. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, a handle member having a portion in vertical engagement with one of said transverse strips, fastening means for said handle member extending through said handle memher and in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle member having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle member from said fastening means and in engagement with said side strips.

5. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, a handle member, fastening means extending through said handle member and in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle member having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle member from said fastening means and in engagement with the upper and the internal faces of said side strips.

6. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, handle members at each end of said file having portions for engagement with said transverse strips, fastening means extending through said handle members and respectively in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle members having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle members from said fastening means and in engagement with said side strips.

7. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, handle members having portions in engagement with said transverse strips, fastening means extending through said handle members and in engagement with said transverse strips, said handle members having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle member from said fastening means and in engagement with said side strips, and means extending between said handle members for varying the end to end curvature of said file.

8. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, handle members having portions in engagement with said stransverse strips, fastening means extending through said handle members and in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle member having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle members from said fastening means and in engagement with internal faces of said side strips, and means connected-at one end to one of said. fastening means and at the other end to one of said handle members for varying the end to end curvature of said file.

9. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top of each end by transverse strips, handle members having portions at each end in engagement with said transverse strips, fastening means extending through said handle members and each in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle members having at each side thereof downwardly extending projections spaced along said handle members from said fastening means and in engagement with internal faces of said side strips, and means extending between said handle members for varying the end to end curvature of said file, said means including members for imparting a concave curvature to the cutting face of said file.

10. In combination with a file having spaced side strips connected at. the bottom by separated cutting teeth and bridged at the top at each end by transverse strips, a handle member having for manual engagement an external inclined face portion, fastening means extending through said handle member and in engagement with one of said transverse strips, said handle member having the underside thereof spaced from said cutting teeth for clearance of chips and having a portion for engagement with the aforesaid transverse strip, said handle member also having spaced from said fastening means on each side spaced downwardly extending projections in engagement with said side strips.

LAYTON R. FETTEROLF. 

